Anritsu today announced the launch of the new MT1000A Network Master Pro, marking the arrival of a new generation of all-in-one optical network field testers which support the multiple communications protocols used in today’s converged telecom networks.

The new MT1000A Network Master Pro, together with the MU100010A test module, provides all the capabilities required for field-testing an Optical Transport Network (OTN). It supports the new OTN features ODU0 and ODUflex, as well as Ethernet, Fibre Channel and SDH/SONET at rates up to 10 Gbps. It also handles legacy PDH and DSn interfaces.

The product can be configured to support dual-port testing at all supported interfaces and rates. The two ports can be used independently, effectively providing the user with two instruments in one physical device, making the field tester’s work more productive. Two-port testing can also be used for in-service bi-directional monitoring of live traffic links, providing a new ability to maintain and optimise existing networks and test networks while they are in operation. This enables operators to pinpoint problems faster and so reduce the duration of network downtime.

The MT1000A Network Master Pro is also the first compact all-in-one OTN tester to give the user the capability to test the network with Ethernet and SDH/SONET client signals. This feature will become more important as the adoption of OTN and OTN switching becomes more widespread.

Using the MT1000A, with its combination of OTN testing with Ethernet, SDH/SONET and PDH/DSn testing in one self-contained unit, the field technician will be better equipped than ever before to solve the problems in the transport network autonomously, without reference to a remote network operations center.

“An increasing amount of traffic is transported over OTN lines; inside the OTN system the traffic is transported as an Ethernet or SDH/SONET signal. In some cases even Fibre Channel is used,” said Ivan Chen, General Manager of Anritsu Taiwan. “Therefore it is important for field technicians installing and maintaining transport networks to have a universal tool like the MT1000A Network Master Pro to test all the technologies supported within the networks they manage.”

Anritsu Corporation (www.anritsu.com) has been a provider of innovative communications solutions for more than 110 years. The company's test and measurement solutions include wireless, optical, microwave/RF and digital instruments, operations support systems and solutions that can be used during R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed devices for design into communication products and systems. With the addition of OSS monitoring solutions it has expanded its offering to provide complete solutions for existing and next-generation wireline and wireless communication systems and service providers. Anritsu sells in over 90 countries worldwide with approximately 4,000 employees.